CRAIG PADILLA / SONAR (STRANGE FISH) (2LP)

£20.00

Keith Jones (Fruits De Mer):‘Sonar’ is a compilation of recordings by Craig Padilla from 1996 onwards, none of which have appeared on CD or vinyl before. Although they span nearly 20 years of recordings, Craig and I selected them to provide a consistent feel across four sides of listening – music influenced by the kosmische sounds of the 70s, but fed through 21st century equipment. Immerse yourself.

After more than two decades of performing live and recording his own music using many vintage analog and newer digital synthesizers, his style reflects the classic electronic musicians of the past (Wendy Carlos, Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Steve Roach, and many other pioneers), while finding new sound and music styles that are unique to the true ambient electronic music genre (often found in categories from New Age to Trance to Electronica). Craig has composed soundtracks for various television, theatrical, and film productions. His music is heard on XM Satellite Radio and radio stations throughout the US, and on celebrated radio programs “Echoes” and “Hearts of Space”.

He is a top-selling established artist on the Spotted Peccary Music CD label and has appeared on releases on the Lotuspike, Fruits de Mer Records, Groove Records, and Ultimae labels.

This is only Craig’s second appearance on vinyl, his first was the opening side of the Fruits de Mer ‘strangefish’ box set last year.

Craig says, “I have always been fascinated by vinyl records as a way to listen to music. The fact that a piece of plastic with grooves can spin against a needle and play sounds that are so pure and warm simply amazes me to this day. There is a great physical and spiritual connection to the music on a record. If you want to hear it, you need to actually hold the album cover while enjoying the artwork, take out the inner sleeve, take the record out of the inner sleeve and place it on the turntable. There's even a certain scent to the vinyl and paperwork of an album that I enjoy. I have more memories of certain songs and albums because of this physical connection that I don't get with digital media. Since much of my music is inspired by the electronic music records of the 1970's and 80's and is recorded using analog equipment, I've always felt that it would be a perfect fit for it to be released on vinyl.”